- City:
- Grand Junction, CO
- Site Type:
- Park Roads and Bridges, Parks and Recreation
- New Deal Agencies:
- Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Public Works Funding, Work Relief Programs, Public Works Administration (PWA), Works Progress Administration (WPA)
Description
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive from one end of the Colorado National Monument to the other. It is a remarkable road that winds along the top of the cliffs, with spectacular views of the Colorado Plateau countryside below.
Construction of the road was a risky undertaking, with three tunnels through the cliffs, the longest of which is 530 feet.
Apparently, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) also participated in the construction of the road and the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided funding to the National Park Service for the road, but that needs further confirmation.
Rim Rock road is one of the finest scenic drives in the United States and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places (as part of a larger historic district) in 1994.
Source notes
https://www.colorado.com/Articles.aspx?aid=42433
https://www.nps.gov/colm/planyourvisit/scenic-rim-rock-drive.htm
https://www.historycolorado.org/location/rim-rock-drive-historic-district
Bobby Magill, 40 Degrees North blog
Site originally submitted by Andrew Laverdiere on January 8, 2012.
Additional contributions by Richard Walker.
At this Location:
- Colorado National Monument: Devils Kitchen Picnic Shelter - Grand Junction CO
- Colorado National Monument: Saddlehorn Caretaker's Residence - Grand Junction CO
- Colorado National Monument: Saddlehorn Utility Area Historic District - Grand Junction CO
- Colorado National Monument: Saddlehorn Comfort Station - Grand Junction CO
Contribute to this Site
We welcome contributions of additional information on any New Deal site.
Submit More Information or Photographs for this New Deal Site
Join the Conversation